Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following his claims that her husband, businessman Sam Mburu, is influencing police operations in Nakuru County.
The political spat intensified after Gachagua accused the Nakuru County police command of being under Mburu’s control, prompting a sharp rebuttal from the governor.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 9, Gachagua said he had raised concerns with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja regarding alleged political interference in police operations. He claimed that during a meeting with the Inspector General and other senior officers on January 30, 2026, he was assured that the National Police Service would remain neutral and uphold constitutional freedoms.
“Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, when we called on you on Friday 30th January 2026 with other national leaders before your two deputies and other senior officers, you gave us several commitments. Among them was a clarification that the National Police Service is apolitical and would not meddle in politics. You went ahead to give us an assurance that the service will respect the constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of movement and assembly,” Gachagua stated.
He further alleged that he had specifically warned the Inspector General that the Nakuru County police command was under the influence of Mburu. “I specifically alerted you that the Police Command in Nakuru County was in the hands of Sam Mburu, the spouse to the County Governor, Susan Kihika,” he said.
Gachagua also accused police officers in Naivasha of harassment, claiming they mounted a roadblock using multiple vehicles and intimidated members of the public. “The police in four land cruisers under the command of Naivasha OCPD Sigei Wilson had officers masking their faces and harassed members of the public for over one hour and withdrew after hundreds of agitated members of the public arrived at the scene and demanded the roadblock be removed to allow my entourage access to Nakuru County,” he alleged.
Governor Kihika swiftly dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless and irrational. In a strongly worded response, she accused Gachagua of being obsessed with her husband and attempting to tarnish his reputation for personal gain.
“Whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad! Gachagua, you are losing it! My spouse clearly lives rent free in your head. Is it because he refused to be blackmailed and extorted by you for a ‘protection fee’ like you do other Mt. Kenya businessmen?” Kihika fired back.
She further claimed that Gachagua’s attacks stemmed from failed attempts to coerce her husband into business dealings. “Didn’t you have him do business with your son? Didn’t you call him to partner with you for importation of sugar and he declined, that you now want to come here and act brand new? Let me stop there but know you can’t intimidate us and there is a lot more where that came from,” she added.
Kihika also accused the former deputy president of using his recent visit to Naivasha to hurl insults instead of addressing substantive policy issues. The escalating war of words underscores growing political tensions between the two leaders, both of whom have been key figures in the Mount Kenya political landscape.
